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2025-2026 University Catalog
Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
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About the Program
Purdue’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s graduate programs are ranked amongst the best in the nation and offer a rigorous, cutting-edge, and intellectually-stimulating educational experience in an environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and student success. Students in Electrical and Computer Engineering graduate degree programs have an opportunity to learn from and work alongside leading faculty members who are globally renowned for their excellence in research, teaching, and mentoring. Students can fine-tune their credentials by earning a graduate concentration. See below for more details. Master’s students can pursue a thesis or non-thesis option. Within the non-thesis option, students can choose either the Innovation/project track or the Implementation track. Thesis option: This track provides students with a classical experience of writing a thesis document that solves a substantial ECE-related problem. This experience, combined with graduate courses that delve into related ECE topics, prepares students for careers in research or pursuing a doctoral degree. Non-thesis Innovation track option: Students in this track will take specific Ideas to Innovation coursework, in which they will complete a project that has the same scope and ambition as a 9-credit MS thesis. This track is designed to allow students to build both technical and professional skills. Non-thesis Implementation track option: The implementation track is an option for students admitted to the West Lafayette and Indianapolis MSECE Professional Master’s Program (PMP/INVT) starting Fall 2025 and later. See below for each set of requirements. Program Website Program Requirements - Thesis
30 Credits RequiredRequired Courses (9 credits)
Core Courses (6 credits)
Choose two. All MSECE students must select a primary area of interest and take the associated core course. The area of the second core course is considered the student’s related area. Math Course (3 credits)
Students can choose any 500/600-level math course (MA), except seminar courses and teacher training courses. Seminar Course (0 credits)
All thesis-track students must complete ECE 69400: Graduate Seminar. This is a zero-credit-hour course that does not go on the plan of study. Students typically take this course during their first or second semester. Electives (9-15 credits)
Students should primarily choose 500/600-level courses from ECE to fulfill this requirement. At least 15 credits of graduate-level ECE courses are required for the degree, including up to 12 credits of ECE 698, Research MS Thesis. Core courses listed above can count toward this requirement. Students may take up to 9 credits of 500/600-level courses outside ECE (e.g. in ME, IE, CS, STAT, etc). To fulfill these requirements, students may choose one or more concentrations. See concentration list below for more information. Thesis Research (6-12 credits)
Program Requirements - Non-thesis Innovation Track
30 Credits RequiredRequired Courses (9-10 credits)
Core Course (3 credits)
Choose one. All MSECE students must select a primary area of interest and take the associated core course. Project Track Courses (3-4 credits)
In addition to ECE 695 Communication for Engineering Leaders, students should choose one course (at least 2 credits) from the list below. Math Course (3 credits)
Students can choose any 500/600-level math course (MA), except seminar courses and teacher training courses. Electives (14-15 credits)
Students should primarily choose 500/600-level courses from ECE to fulfill this requirement. At least 15 credits of graduate-level ECE courses are required for the degree, including ECE 695 Ideas to Innovation courses. Core courses listed above can count toward this requirement. Students may take up to 9 credits of 500/600-level courses outside ECE (e.g. in ME, IE, CS, STAT, etc). To fulfill these requirements, students may choose one or more concentrations. See concentration list below for more information. Innovation Project Courses (6 credits)
Student teams consisting of members from different ECE technical areas will select and complete a significant design project. During the fall semester, teams will work on faculty-suggested topics or continuing topics from the prior year. In this course, each team will define the project goals/metrics, including “proof-of-concept” demonstrations for main aspects of the proposed approach. In the spring semester, student teams will continue their work on their design project, including iterations through stages of design, final demonstration, and testing to verify operation of key functionalities and quantify metrics. Processes for project proposals, approvals of project concepts, design reviews, and final reports are modeled on those of leading technology innovation companies. Program Requirements - Non-thesis Implementation Track
30 Credits RequiredRequired Courses (16 credits)
Core Courses (7 credits)
Students must take ECE 695 Communication for Engineering Leaders and two courses from the list below. All MSECE students must select a primary area of interest and take the associated core course. The area of the second core course is considered the student’s related area. Professional Development & Implementation Courses (9 credits)
Choose at least 9 credits of coursework from the lists below. Seminar Course (0 credits)
Only West Lafayette students must complete ECE 69400: Graduate Seminar. This is a zero-credit-hour course that does not go on the plan of study. Students typically take this course during their first or second semester. Electives (14 credits)
Students should primarily choose 500/600-level courses from ECE to fulfill this requirement. At least 15 credits of graduate-level ECE courses are required for the degree, which can include courses from above ECE lists. Up to 3 credits of ECE 696 or 697 are allowed. Core courses listed above can count toward this requirement. Students may take up to 9 credits of 500/600-level courses outside ECE (e.g. in ME, IE, CS, STAT, etc). To fulfill these requirements, students may choose one or more concentrations. See concentration list below for more information. Concentrations
Departmental concentrations: - Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
- Automatic Control Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
- Communications, Networking, Signal and Image Processing Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
- Computer Engineering Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
- Fields and Optics Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
- Innovative Technologies (see above; this concentration is only for students in the Professional Master’s Program)
- Microelectronics and Advanced Semiconductors Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE or PHD
- Microelectronics and Nanotechnology Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
- Power and Energy Systems Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
- VLSI and Circuit Design Concentration for Electrical and Computer Engineering, MSECE
Interdisciplinary concentrations: Graduate Programs Disclaimer
- The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
- Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary.
- Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
- Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
- Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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